It's not often that a camera comes to the market with new technologies that excite camera enthusiasts, but the HX1 does just that. Not only does it offer something new with its panorama sweep and handheld twilight modes, but it also offers a specification as good as that of any other superzoom camera currently on the market. Good image quality and performance follow, meaning that the HX1 is pretty much the complete package. The price is currently a bit of a stumbling block, but with that bound to fall in the near future, the HX1 looks like a good buy indeed.
Image Quality & Value For Money
Sony CyberShot HX1 review – Image Quality
Considering the extent of the focal range on the HX1, both lens flare and barrel/pincushion distortion are kept to a minimum.
At the wide end of the focal range both are noticeable, but not so much as to impair images. Fine detail is well rendered, and the HX1 no doubt benefits from possessing a CMOS sensor. Tonal rendition is good, with a pleasing balance between shadows and highlights displayed. In difficult light, the HX1 does struggle with rendering highlights, which have a tendency to blow. Colours are pleasing, being vibrant but also natural. ISO performance is good, with images generally acceptable up to ISO 800. Above that, things are slightly different, with ISO 1600 displaying a rough grain, and ISO 3200 mushing fine detail.
Sony CyberShot HX1 review – Value For Money
With a current list price of £489, the HX1 isnʼt exactly the cheapest camera on the market. Itʼs upwards of £100 more expensive than most of its superzoom competitors ? and a fair bit pricier than several good DSLRs. However, the HX1 features genuinely innovative technologies. The model is very well specified, features Sonyʼs distinctive good build quality, and almost has every base covered with regards to HD movie capture, 20x focal range and full manual control.
Score
Score in detail
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Features 95
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Image Quality 90
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Design 90
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Performance 90
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Value 85